Discover Vaideeni: Hiking Trails, Village Culture and Crafts

Hiking and Climbing

Ten marked hiking trails lead from the municipality of Vaideeni into the Oltenia de sub munte area. Two off-road routes also start from the municipality and are intended for off-road vehicle owners. The Oltenia de sub munte area and the Lotru Valley are connected by these trails and routes. The network therefore accommodates different forms of travel: marked trails for hiking and dedicated routes for off-road vehicles. The two types of routes are explicitly distinguished: the marked trails are intended for hiking, while the off-road routes are intended for off-road vehicle owners.

The themed hiking trail “Drumul dintre sate” runs between the municipality of Vaideeni and the village of Urșani in the town of Horezu. It is equipped with 16 information boards. The route therefore leads from Vaideeni to the town of Horezu, more precisely to the village of Urșani, and is complemented by the information boards.

The first mountaineering and climbing route in the Cheile Cerna-Sohodor area near Vaideeni is called “Salvamont 1”. It is over 80 metres high and has a difficulty rating of IV. In addition to the hiking trails, there is therefore also a specifically named route for mountaineering and climbing activities, with its height and difficulty rating stated.

Culture and History

The cultural event “Învârtita Dorului” takes place every year in the municipality of Vaideeni and has already been held for the 48th time.

The archaeological site of Peștera Oilor is located in Vaideeni and is assigned to the Palaeolithic and Bronze Age periods. The village of Vaideeni is also home to the brick-built church “Sfântul Ioan Botezătorul”. It dates from 1878. Archaeological periods and a 19th-century building thus represent different historical periods within the history of the locality. The information about the site ranges from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, while the church is more precisely dated by the specific year of construction, 1878.

The Vaideeni ethnographic centre is associated with transhumance and pastoral customs. These themes are part of the locality’s traditional way of life. Traditional architecture in Vaideeni includes old houses with verandas, which are typical of the ethnographic region of “Oltenia de sub munte”. Houses enclosed by courtyards are also part of the traditional architecture; this form of construction is typical of Mărginimea Sibiului.

Vaideeni’s local craft traditions include the artistic processing of leather and wool. Musical instruments such as flutes are also made in Vaideeni. Leather, wool and flutes thus represent specific materials and products associated with the craft traditions mentioned.

Nature and Museum Collection

Cheile Cernei is one of the natural attractions of the municipality of Vaideeni. This natural attraction adds a landscape-related dimension within the municipality to the archaeological, ecclesiastical and ethnographic sites.

The Vaideeni village museum collection is displayed at the headquarters of the “Vaideenii” foundation. This headquarters is located in a former bank building from the interwar period. It is situated in the civic centre next to the town hall. The exhibition venue is therefore described both as the headquarters of the “Vaideenii” foundation and as a former bank building, as well as by its location next to the town hall.

A holiday apartment in Vaideeni adds a possible accommodation perspective to the view of the locality.

Other places at the same level are Măldăresti, Curăturile, Horezu, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Călimănești, Blidari, Ocnele Mari and Ciungetu.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vâlcea.